Locking mechanism



March 4, 1941.

Y K 5C. BUG@ Z LOCKING mEcHANIssa Filed Nov. 20, l19:59

Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITEDl STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention pertains to locking mechanism, and more particularly to a lock for a hooklem fastener or Zipper.

It is an object of this invention to provide a s ycombination lock for a hookless fastener.

Another object is to provide a lockior a hookless fastener which is small. secure, Iand inexpensive to manufacture.`

Still another object is to provide a combination i lock for a hookless fastener which is adapted to provide means for readily operating the latching means of a hookless fastener, and which can be readily applied to existing fasteners as well as to fasteners made for this purpose.

i A further object 4is to provide a combination lock for a hookless fastener which is secure and strong, yet may be encased in a plastic or other decorative casing without decreasing the security or strength. v

l Withthese and various other objects in view.

the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation as will be more fully described andparticulax'ly pointed out in the speciflcatio drawing and claims ap- 25 pended hereto.

In the drawing, which illustrates embodiments of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to dignate like parts- Figure i is a toplplan view of a portion of a 3o hookless fastener showing a lock embodying the invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of a hookless fastener slide showing a combination lock -embodying the invention applied thereto:

35 Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional elevation through one form of combination lock embodying the invention showing the same applied to the slide of a hookiess fastener;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional plan taken 4o substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 4--4 of Figure 3; i Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional plan taken substantially in the plane as indicated by )the line U-l ot Figure 3;

4 Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional plan taken substantially in the plane as., lndicated by thev line S- of Figure 3;

Figure '1 is a perspective elevation of oneof the locking members provided in the combina- 50 'tion lock illustrated in Figure 3;

` Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional elevation of a modified form of combination lock embodying the invention, showing the same applied to the slide of a hookless fastener; r

55 Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional elevation of another modified form of combination lock embodying the'invention. showing the same applied to the slide of a hookless fastener;

Figure l0 is an enlarged sectional elevation oi so still another modiiied form of combination lock embodying the invention, showing the same ap plied to the slide of a hcokless fastener;

Figure il is an enlarged sectional elevation oi yet another modiiied form of combination lock embodying the invention, showing the same api 5 plied to the slide of a hookless fastener;

Figure 12 is a transverse sectional elevation through a modified iorm of maze adapted for use in the combination locks embodying the invention. i@v

.Hookless fastener In the combination locks illustrated herein, m

Y applied to a hookless fastener, it is ofcourse um derstood that the same form of hookless fastener i5 and slide therefor are provided for each of the modifications illustrated. The hookless fastener is shown as applied to the fabric or base 22, the interlocking iastening means thereof beine of the weil known Zipper type and adapted to be 2o locked and unlocked by the slide .24 adapted to be moved along the hookless fastener. In the embodiment illustrated, the slide is adapted to'be moved toward the right as viewed in Figure .1,

to open the fastener, and moved toward the left as viewed in said ligure to close said fastener, vthe slide being the conventional slide, includl ing theupper member 26 and the lower member 28, said members being adapted to embrace the .fastening means of the hookless fastener 20, the so' upper and lower members being spaced apart and joined at the iiared end 30 by the centrally dis posed web 32.

'Lock shown in Figures 3 to 7, inclusive Referring rst of allmore particularly to the form `of combination lock illustrated in Figures 3 to 7, inclusive, as applied to the slide 24, said lock includes .the base 34 suitably secured as at 26 to the top of said slide, said lbase being pro- 4@ vided with the' upwardly extending cylindrical portion 38 forming a lowor seatY All. for the expension spring M. The spring is adapted to embrace the central post 46 which extends upwardly and is internally threaded as at I8. The upper end of the spring is seated on the disk Sil apertured as at 52 for sliding cooperation with the post 46. Said disk is provided with the depending locking pin 54 adapted to extend downwardly for reciprocation in the registering aperr 5d tur 56 and 58 provided in the base 3l, and the upper member 28 of the slide, the spring normally urging the pin upwardly out of its locking position between the adjacent fastening members of the hookiess fastener 2li. it being andere1 55 stood that when the pin is disposed between adjacent hooks the slide cannot be moved.

' Therotating operating member 60 is provided to rotate around the post 46, said operating member including theouter casing 62 extending down- 60 wardly to embrace and be jour-nailed on the cylindrical portion 38, said member being rotatable with respect to the disk 50, and being provided with the apertured plain track member 64, the periphery of the aperture forming a bearing on the post 46 and being provided with the spaced cut-out portions 66 for receiving one of the control members, all as later described. Above the track member 64 the post is provided with the cut-out portion 68 for receiving the ball or control member 69, said ball being disposed between the plain track member 64 and the stationary maze member 10, said maze member being secured to the post as by the key 12, the maze being retained in position by means of the shoulder 14 provided on the post and the assembly screw 16 received in the threaded portion 48 of the post. The maze may be recessed as at 'i8 for the reception of a decorative closure cap 80, and the outer periphery of said maze may form a bearing for the casing 62. The maze member l is similar to that shown and described in Patent No. 2,116,011, granted May 3, 1938, to Kenly C. Bugg, and also application Serial No. 205,648 filed May 2, 1938, being provided with the track portions 82 extending inwardly of the plain or directing track 84, the plain track member 64 serving as actuating means to direct the ball 60 inwardly in accordance with the selected combination on the" maze until the ball is moved into the cut-out portion 68. v

Operation ing members of the hookless fastener, Thus the l upper member 26. The base member slide is locked as the pin 54 is projected downwardly. In order to unlock the slide, the member 62 is depressed slightly toward the slide 24. This causes the ball 69 to move outwardly against the inside of the member 62, it being 'understood that the lock is held in another than vertical position. The member 62 may then be rotated in accordance with the combination, the combination being counted by the clicks, in the form illustrated, until it is received in the cut-out portion 68. Slight additional rotation of the member 62 will cause one of the members 66 of the plain track member to register with the ball, at which time the spring 44 will propel the locking member 50 and the member 62 upwardly, trapping the ball and causing the pin 54 to be moved out of its position between adjacent hooks of the fastener. 'Ihe slide ca n then b e moved to open or close the fastener, as the case may be, and after it is moved to its desired position the member 62 may be depressed to project the pin 54K into locking position, which movement releases the: ball 'l0 from the registering apertures 68 and 66,`

whereupon it becomes necessary` to repeat the operation above described to reopen the lock for operation of the hookless fastener.

Lock shown m Figure ls In the embodiment of the'lock illustrated in Figure 8, the base member 86 is suitably secured to the upper member 26 of the slide 24, the base member 86 being provided with the aperture 88 registering with an aperture 90 provided in the theupper part of the spring 06 being provided with the depend to extend through the apertures is provided ing portion 08 forming a locking pin for engaging between the adjacent fastening members ot the hookless fastener. 'I'he upper end of the spring is seated against plain track member member 64, said track |00, similar to the track member being carried by vthe rotatable cylindrical casing |02, the track member being apertured as at |04 for the recep-` tion of the center post |06 of the base member 86. 'I'he center post is provided with the head |08 for securing the stationary maze member ||6 thereto, said maze member being similar to the maze member 10. The

rm bearings for the member |02, and the member |02 may be convenient ly closed by means of the cap H6.

Lock shown in Figure 9 In the modification illustrated in Figure 9, the flanged base member 8 is secured to the upper member 26 o1' the slide 24 and is provided with the aperture |20 registering with the aperturek VY,|22 of the member-26.

'I'he base member is also provided with the center post |24 to which the closure cap |26 is secured, as between the shoulthe under side of the rotatable The der |23 and the enlarged head |30 of said post, the closure member |26 conveniently being used f as the maze member, and the outer periphery thereof forming a bearing of the rotatable oper ating sleeve |32. Said sleeve |32 is provided with the plain track member. |34 journaled as at |34 to the post, the ball |38 being disposed between the members |34 and |26, and being adapted to be moved in a predetermined manner as determined by the maze, into the aperture |40. The conical spring |42 is seated on the lbase member ||8 at one end, and its upper end on thelunder side of the track member |34, being provided locking portion |44 adapted |20 and |22, and moved into locking position between the adjacent With the depending .fastening members of the fastener.

Lock shown in Figure 10 In the construction illustrated in Figure l0, the base member |46 of the lock may be suitably secured to the upper member 26 of the slide 24, the base member being provided withV the aperture |48 registering with the aperture |50 in said slide. The base member |46 is provided with the upstanding flange |52 forming a bearing for the rotatable operating sleeve |54. The sleeve |54 is provided with the plain trackmember |56 adapted to be rotated by the sleevev |54 and journaled as or post |60. 'I'he secured to the sleeve |60 by means o1' the rivet |64 which preferably extends through the closure member |62, the sleeve |60, the base |46, and the upper member 26 ofthe slide, and forms fastening means between the lock and slide 24. 'I'he member |62 may conveniently take theA form of the maze member for the ball |66 disposed between the members |62 and |56, said ball being adapted to be operated, in the manner determined by the maze, into the aperture |68 provided in the sleeve |60. A conical spring |10 is disposed between the members |56 and |46, and is provided with the depending locking portion at |58 on the stationary sleeve stationary cap |62 is suitably f 'I'he sleeves can |12 extending through the apertures |48 and lil where it may be proiected into locking position on the hookless fastener. Y,

Lock shown in Figure 11 In the construction illustrated in Figure 11, the base member |14 may be suitable secured to the upper member 26 of the slide 24 and is provided with the aperture registering with the aperture |13 ofthe upper member 2t. The base member |14 is provided with the upwardly extending flange IIB formind a bearing for the rotatable operating sleeve H2.. The sleeve |32 is provided with the plain track member |I4 iournaled as at |86 to the centrally disposed post l". In the construction shown the post |38 is provided with the rivet portion l extending through the base member IBI and the upper member -28 c! the slide, forming fastening means therewith, and the post |28 is provided with the closure portion |92 which may also form the maze member for the ball |24. The post |84 is provided with the depressed. portion or aperture ill for the reception ol the ball |24, said ball being moved to said aperture in a manner determined by the maze. 'Ihe conical spring |33 is disposed between the members |34 and is provided with a depending locking portion 2 extending through the apertures |16 and |14.

and |14 Operation o! locks shown in Figures 8 to 11,v

inclusive In the operation of the devices illustrated in Figures 8 to 11, inclusive, the operation is similar to that already described with respect to the lock illustrated in Figure 3; that is, in order to zeroize the lock the sleeves |02, |22, |54 and |32 are moved toward the slide, causing the balls to move out ot the slots ||4, |40, |63 and IIB. then be rotated in accordance with the combination determined by the mazes until it is received in the respective slots, at which lthe springs cause the sleeves to move away from the slide, permitting the pins, |44, |12 and 23| to 'be moved out of locking position between the adjacent fastening members of the hookless fastener. The slide can then be moved to the position desired, and the sleeves can be depressed toward the slide to cause the balls to move out of the respective slots, and to project the pins into locking position, being held in locking position by the separation between the plain track mber and the maze member carme 55 ried by the disposition of the balls therebetween.

Maze shown in Figure 12 In the construction shown 'irr Figure l2, a maze 202 is provided wherein the tace' of the maze is substantially conical, such as shown in Reissue Patent No. 21,320, granted January I6, 1940, or o! course it may be of some other shape, such as spherical, so that the slide need not be tipped out of vertical position. When these types 05 of mazes are used, of course the plain track members must constructed. Further, while the maze has been described as being stationary, it is of course understood that the maze may be rotatable, that is, the positions of the plain track member and the maze membermay-be reversed and the maze member is then rotated It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the de- 15 vice shown, which are merely by way of illusby the operating sleeve.

as various and other oi course be apparent tration and not limitatio forms of the device will 1 to those skilled in the art without departing fromV member having `a spring posed between said members and movable in be similarly (complementarily) the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is: l 1. In a lock, the combination of a stationary seat, locking means in, ciuding a projection extending through said sta-V tionary member, a spring interposed between said means and said seat, a rotatable operating member, a plain trackmember, a maze member, one of said last named members being adapted to be rotated by said operating member, a ball disaccordance with said maze member, and means for receiving said ball for permitting said spring tomove said projection to inoperative position.

- 2. In a lock, the combination of. a stationary member having a spring seat, locking means including a member forming a spring seat, a locking projection on said second named member. an expansion spring disposed between said seats, a rotatable operating member having a plain track member, said operating member being rotatable and slidable with relation to said stationary member, a stationary track member having a maze thereon, said stationary track member being secured to said first named stationary member, a ball disposed between said track members and movable to inoperative position to permit movement of said locking projection to inoperative position:

3. In a combination lock adapted to be ap plied to a slide for a hookless fastener, means adapted to lbe moved by said lock into and out of looking position, saidlock including a rotatable operating member, said rotatable operating member being adapted to be rotatably mount.. ed on said slide but lxed against dissociation therefrom, means for urging said4 rst named means to inoperative position, and means controlled by predetermined movements of said operating member for permitting movement oi said first named member to operative or inoperative position.

4. In a lock, the combination of a base member vhaving an outer peripheral ilange and a centrally disposed post, a rotatable operating member encircling said ilange, a track member carried by said operating member and extending radially toward said post, a spring disposed between said base member and track member and urging said track member away from said base member, a stationary track member secured to said post and extending radially toward said operating member, one of said track members having a maze thereon, a ball disposed between said track members and movable toward said post by predetermined rotating movements ci said operating member in accordance with said maze, said post having an aperture fortreceiving said ball for permitting movement of said first named track member toward said second named' track member, said spring having a projection extending through said base member, said projection being in one position when said ball is between said track members and in another position when said ball is in said aperture.

5. In a lock, the combination of a base member having an outer peripheral flange and a centrally disposed post; a rotatable operating member encircling said ange, a track member carried by said operating member and extending radially toward said post, a spring disposed between said base member and track member.

having a maze thereon, a ball disposed between said track members and movable toward said post by predetermined rotating movements of said operating member inaccordance with said maze, said post having an aperture for receiving said ball for permitting movement of said iirst namedtrack member toward said second named track member, said spring having a projection extending'through said bese member, said projection being in one position when said ball is between said track members and in another position when said ball V closure member carried by said operating member extending over said post;y

6. In a lock, the combination of a base member having an outer peripheral dange. a rotatable operating member encircling said ange, a track member carried by said operating member and extending radially toward said post, a spring disposed between said base member and track member and urging said track member away from said base member, a stationary track member extending radially toward said operating member, one oi said track members havextending between bali is between said track members and in another position when said ball is in said aperture.

7. In a lock, the combination of a base mem-Y ber having an outer peripheral ilange, a rotatable operating member encircling said ange, a track member carried by said operating member and extending radially toward said post, a spring disposed between said base member and track -member and urging said track member away from said base member, a stationary track member lextending radially toward said voperat ing 'member,'one oi' said track members having a maze thereon, a post extending between said stationary track member and said base member. fastening means extending through said second named track member, said post and said base member, a ball disposed between said track memmember in accordance with said maze, said post having an aperture i'or receiving said ball for permitting movement of said rst named track member toward-said second named track member, said spring having a projection extending through said base member. said projection being in one position when said ball is between said track members and in another position when'said ball is in said aperture.

8. In a lock, the combination of a base member having an outer peripheral ange, a rotatable is in said aperture, and a ber, said spring having a projection extending through said base member, said projection being in one position when said ball is .between said track members and in another position when said balll is in said aperture.

9. In a lock, the combination of a base member havin movable toward said post by predetermined rotating movements of said cordance with said maze, said post having an aperture for receiving said ball for movement of said nrst named track member I toward said second named ,track'memben said spring having a projection extending through is in said aperture.

10. A lock laccording to claim ball engaging surfaces of the members are angularly disposed with respect to the axes of the operating member. y

11. A lock according to claim 4 wherein the 1 wherein the ball engaging surfaces of the track members areoperating member in ac- Vtrack members arel according to claim 'l wherein the track and maze ball engaging surfaces o! the track members are substantially frusta-conical.

15. A lock according to. claim 8 wherein the ball engaging surfaces of the trackmembers are substantially Ytruste-conical.

16. A lock according to claim ball engaging surfaces of the trackmembers are substantially frusta-conical.

' KENLY C. BUGG.

V9 wherein .the 

